Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is an umbrella term that describes lasting change to the brain throughout an beings life course. Neuroplasticity can occur at small scales, such as physical changes to individual Neurons, or at whole-brain scales, such as cortical remapping in response to injury. Cortical remapping only occurs during a certain time period meaning that if a child were injured and it resulted in brain damage then cortical remapping would most likely occur, however if an adult was injured and it resulted in brain damage, then cortical remapping may not occur since the brain has made the majority of its connections. However, behavior, environmental stimuli, thought, and emotions may also cause neuroplastic change, which has significant implications for healthy development, learning, memory, and recovery from brain damage.[1]
Turning on Synapses
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity (flexibility), is an umbrella term that encompasses both synaptic flexibility (the connection of neurons) and non-synaptic flexibility (modification of action potential) to strengthen or change neuron synaptic signaling. Plasticity or flexibility in the brain affects the strength and action of neural connections and pathways. Synaptic flexibility plays a large role in a person's ability to activate higher learning and access memory functions in the brain.
This also refers to changes made in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in a person's behavior, environment, neural processes, thinking, emotions, as well as changes resulting from shifts in consciousness. Substantial changes made in thinking and in responding to various forms of stimuli can profoundly alter the pattern of neuronal activation in response to the way a person experiences or perceives reality.
This means that our direct experiences do change both the brain's physical structure (anatomy) and functional organization (physiology).
The brain can and does change or strengthen in response to the variety of levels we choose to perceive and think about in our experiences and other types of perceptions. If we grow mentally rigid, this leads to hardening our heart and becoming extremely inflexible in our thinking, especially as we grow older. The structure of our brains can be changed by what we focus our attention upon and what we choose to give value to as priority.
Thus, our brain learns by experience and is fully capable of re-programming itself to turn on synapses and increase neuronal activity, by strengthening the brain flexibility through open mindedness. [2]
Exercising an Open Mind
Being open-minded means being receptive to new ideas, knowledge and being adaptable to change. Open-mindedness also relates to the way in which people approach the views and knowledge of others. When we are open-minded we know that others should be free to express their views and that the value of others knowledge should be recognized. When we are not threatened or scared by others point of view, our body and brain stays open, receptive and relaxed. We seek to have dialogues and maintain a free information society that shares knowledge with humanitarian goals. Our goal is to stay mentally open and mentally flexible with an empathic, loving and compassionate heart, and to allow other people to speak what they believe without instigating or condoning violence.Keeping an open and flexible mind, which is crucial to keep ones heart open. Remember an open mind equals an open heart.[3]